No.10 Downing Street

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2005 to the hon. Member for Yeovil, Official Report, column 302W, on Downing Street (refurbishment), when he expects final decisions to be taken on upgrading the Cabinet Office estate; and who is responsible for taking such decisions.

Jim Murphy: Officials continue to develop design and procurement options for the refurbishment of the heritage Cabinet Office estate. Any decision will be subject to acceptance of a strong business case, both internally within the Cabinet Office and by Her Majesty's Treasury.

Commonwealth Games

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contributions from the public purse have been spent on the participation at the Commonwealth Games of those representing (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.

Richard Caborn: Sport in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Commonwealth Games teams is a devolved matter. However, with regard to the funding provided to athletes from Northern Ireland competing in the Commonwealth Games, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend David Hanson, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 317W.
	Funding to our elite and aspiring athletes to help them train and compete at international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, is provided through the World Class Programmes administered by UK Sport and Sport England, as well as the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).
	The World Class Programme administered by UK Sport supports UK governing bodies and includes athletes from all parts of the UK. It targets funding at the UK's top athletes—both able bodied and disabled—to help them achieve consistent success in international competition and ultimately to bring home medals, usually in major competitions at European, World and Olympic/Paralympic level.
	Sport England's World Class Programme is for English athletes primarily within English governing bodies and aims to assist the development of talented athletes with the potential to win medals, or equivalent, in significant future international competitions.
	TASS funding is primarily used to support UK athletes aged between 18 and 25 studying in English educational institutions.
	The total world class programme investment from 2002 until March 2006 in the 116 sports comprising the Commonwealth Games is in the region of £36 million by UK Sport and £70 million by Sport England. TASS investment across over 40 sports (including Commonwealth Games sports) during this period totals £7 million.
	Additionally Sport England has invested £1.5 million in five sports (basketball, bowls, shooting, table tennis and weightlifting) specifically to support their preparation and attendance at the Games. Furthermore, Sport England has invested £1.8 million into this Commonwealth Games cycle through the Commonwealth Games Council for England which will have helped the preparation and attendance of athletes and officials in Melbourne.

Waste and Resources Programme

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to minimise the creation of waste; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: In line with the Government's commitment to sustainable development, the Government's policy on waste minimisation seeks to break the link between economic growth and the amount of waste produced and to drive the management of waste up the waste hierarchy of reduction, re-use, recycling and composting, and energy recovery.
	The Government's main driver for achieving waste minimisation is the waste implementation programme (WIP). The waste and resources action programme (WRAP) leads on delivering this work.
	WRAP'S waste minimisation programme aims to reduce the growth of household waste from 3 percent to 2 percent by the end of the 2005–6 financial year. So far in the 2005–6 financial year, the programme has received around £20 million of funding for three initiatives:
	the Home Composting scheme, which promotes home composting.
	WRAP'S target is to divert 400,000 tonnes of waste from landfill by the end of April 2006;
	the real nappy programme, which promotes the use of re-usable nappies; and the retailer initiative, through which WRAP is working with retailers to reduce the amount of-waste from supermarkets. A related Innovation Fund provides funding for research and development into waste minimisation.
	The retailer initiative will be important for delivering the Courtauld Commitment on minimising packaging and food waste from the thirteen top UK grocery retailers. Elliot Morley launched the agreement between WRAP and the retailers in July 2005. Next year, an additional element of WRAP'S work will be communications with consumers, with the aim of reducing household food waste.
	The Government's business resource efficiency and waste (BREW) programme funds resource efficiency and waste minimisation programmes.
	Various BREW delivery bodies are charged with returning £284 million, from additional landfill tax receipts, to business over three years. These include:
	Envirowise, which provides resource efficiency advice and funds waste minimisation clubs;
	the market transformation programme, which helps improve the resource efficiency of products and product information for consumers;
	the national industrial symbiosis programme (NISP), which helps minimise waste by linking businesses that produce and use waste; and
	the DTI technology programme, which facilitates research and development into resource efficiency, including in the area of waste management.
	The Government's food industry sustainability strategy, which will be published shortly, challenges the food manufacturing industry to reduce the quantity of waste that it produces by between 15 and 20 percent. by 2010.
	Through its research and data programmes, the Government are investing in developing a sound evidence base on waste minimisation practices and opportunities. So far in the 2005–6 financial year, DEFRA has committed over £2 million to waste minimisation related research and development projects under its waste research and resources programme. Although research so far has largely centred on household waste prevention the programme is also funding some minimisation projects related to commercial and industrial waste (including a £225,000 project, Understanding and Predicting Construction Waste").
	DEFRA is currently reviewing its waste strategy, which it published in 2000. On 14 February DEFRA published a consultation document on the review, which proposed a greater focus on waste prevention and resource efficiency to further decouple waste creation from economic growth. DEFRA's work to establish evidence bases on sustainable consumption and production and waste including research and review work on the flows of resources through the economy, are important linked programmes in underpinning this strategic priority.

World Heritage Sites

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Minister in her Department has responsibility for issues relating to world heritage sites.

Jim Knight: Lead responsibility for policy on World Heritage Sites rests with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department for Culture, Media and Sports works closely with relevant Government Departments on all issues affecting World Heritage Sites. Within Defra Jim Knight is Minister for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity, with responsibility for issues concerning World Heritage sites which fall within this Department's policy remit.
	The only World Heritage site for the natural environment is for the Jurassic Coast within my constituency of South Dorset. Decisions relating to this site would therefore by made by another Defra minister.

Delegated Legislation Committees

David Winnick: To ask the Leader of the House on how many occasions in the last two years a division has been recorded in a standing committee on delegated legislation.

Nigel Griffiths: The information for the last two completed sessions and the current session is given in the following table:
	
		
			Number 
			 Session Delegated Legislation committee meetings Instruments considered Divisions 
		
		
			 2003–04 149 185 29 
			 2004–05 92 117 8 
			 2005–06 (to 17 March) 132 150 14

Child Maintenance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the proportion of parents with care on income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance who are receiving maintenance for their children.

James Plaskitt: The information requested can be found in table 13 of the CSA's Quarterly Summary Statistics (QSS) document, a copy of which is available in the House Library.
	For convenience, the relevant table is reproduced as follows.
	
		QSS table 13: percentage of parents with care on income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) in receipt of maintenance
		
			 Percentage 
			 Quarter ending Overall agency New scheme Old scheme 
		
		
			 February 2003 25 n/a 25 
			 February 2004 23 24 23 
			 May 2004 23 28 22 
			 August 2004 23 31 22 
			 November 2004 24 34 21 
			 February 2005 24 34 20 
			 May 2005 25 36 19 
			 August 2005 25 36 19 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The above includes those old-scheme cases with a full maintenance assessment, and those new-scheme cases with either a full maintenance calculation, or a default maintenance decision. Old-scheme cases with a punitive interim maintenance assessment are excluded from this analysis in line with the Agency's target definition, as are new-scheme cases being processed clerically.
	2. The Child Support Agency's PSA target was to double the proportion of parents with care on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance who receive maintenance for their children to 60 per cent. by March 2006". This target has been rolled forward under SR2004 and increased to 65 per cent. by March 2008.
	3. A parent with care is deemed to be on income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) if they or their partner are in receipt of either benefit.
	4. Old-scheme data from the old computer system (CSCS) is matched with administrative data from the benefits system to obtain the current benefit status of the parent with care. Those parents with care who are not themselves on benefit, but whose partner is, are excluded from this analysis due to lack of available data. It is not possible to match old and new scheme data from the new IT system (CS2) with administrative data from the benefits system, so this information is recorded as that held on the CSA system.
	5. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.
	6. Robust data from the new IT system (CS2) covering the period March 2003—March 2004 is not currently available, and is under development.

Correspondence

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords were dealt with by his Department in each year since 1995 in respect of the percentage his Department took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment, including the Employment Service. This response includes information for the 2001–02 parliamentary session onwards.
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005 (column 137–40ws). Reports for previous years are available in the Library of the House. Information on letters from members of the public to the Department's Ministers is available in the Department's departmental report, which is published annually and can be found in the Library of the House. Information about letters from hon. Members and members of the public to officials in the Department is not collected centrally and could only be collected at disproportionate cost to the Department.
	Information about Lords parliamentary questions is not available in this format and could only be collected at disproportionate cost to the Department. Information about Commons parliamentary questions is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Per cent 
			 Parliamentary session Proportion of Commons parliamentary questions that were answered more than twenty working days after being tabled Proportion of Commons parliamentary questions that were answered more than sixty working days after being tabled 
		
		
			 2001–02 22 4 
			 2002–03 13 1 
			 2003–04 10 1 
			 2004–05 6 0 
			 2005–06 22 4 
		
	
	Note:
	The 2005–06 figures are for the period up to 31 December 2005. Twenty working days is used as an equivalent to one month and sixty working days is used as an equivalent to three months.

Bus Subsidy (Greater London)

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much bus subsidy has been provided in the Greater London area in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: The following tables outline bus subsidy awarded in London between 1994–95 to 2004–05:
	
		Bus subsidy in London (not adjusted for inflation)
		
			 £ million 
			  Public transport support(48)(49)(50)(51), 5, 6 Concessionary fare reimbursement7, 8 Bus service operators grant(9) Total (+ BSOG) RPI deflator 
		
		
			 At cash prices  
			 1994–95(4) 55 100 No data 155 1.286 
			 1995–96(4) 30 103 29 162 1.251 
			 1996–97(4) 12 106 29 147 1.209 
			 1997–98(4) 1 110 30 141 1.174 
			 1998–99(4) 12 113 37 162 1.144 
			 1999–2000(4) 10 117 46 173 1.122 
			 2000–01(4) 84 119 47 250 1.108 
			 2001–02(5) 186 129 56 371 1.081 
			 2002–03(5) 421 128 66 615 1.048 
			 2003–04(6) 560 132 80 772 1.021 
			 2004–05 549 143 91 783 1.000 
			   
			 Percentage change over:  
			 1 year -2 8 13 1 — 
			 10 years 898 43 — 405 — 
		
	
	(1) From administrative returns to ODPM.
	(2) Includes depreciation and renewal grant.
	(3) London data reflects changes at the time of preparation for the privatisation of LBL's buses.
	(4) From 1994–95 this was funded by L.T. From 2000–01 TFL took strategic control of London's bus network.
	(5) Operating loss of London Buses Ltd., as stated in their management accounts.
	(6) The congestion charge in central London raised funds which have not been set against expenditure in the table.
	(7) Concessionary fare reimbursement is a subsidy to the passenger rather than the operator.
	(8) Concessionary fare schemes for children became available in some areas from 26 October 1986. Free travel for those under 16 in London from September 2005.
	(9) Bus Service Operators Grant replaced Fuel Duty Rebate. It is paid by DFT directly to bus operators.
	Source:
	Local authority returns to ODPM (Revenue Out-turn RO2).
	
		Bus subsidy in London (real terms)
		
			 £ million 
			  Public transport support(48)(49)(50)(51), 5, 6 Concessionary fare reimbursement7, 8 Bus service operators grant(18) Total (+ BSOG) RPI deflator 
		
		
			 At 2004–05 prices  
			 1994–95(13) 71 129 No data 199 1.286 
			 1995–96(13) 38 129 36 203 1.251 
			 1996–97(13) 15 128 35 178 1.209 
			 1997–98(13) 1 129 35 165 1.174 
			 1998–99(13) 14 129 42 185 1.144 
			 1999–2000(13) 11 131 52 194 1.122 
			 2000–01(13) 93 132 52 277 1.108 
			 2001–02(14) 201 139 61 401 1.081 
			 2002–03(14) 441 134 69 645 1.048 
			 2003–04(15) 572 135 82 789 1.021 
			 2004–05 549 143 91 783 1.000 
			   
			 Percentage change over:  
			 1 year -4 6 11 -1 — 
			 10 years 676 11 — 293 — 
		
	
	(10) From administrative returns to ODPM.
	(11) Includes depreciation and renewal grant.
	(12) London data reflects changes at the time of preparation for the privatisation of LBL's buses.
	(13) From 1994–95 this was funded by L.T. From 2000–01 TFL took strategic control of London's bus network.
	(14) Operating loss of London Buses Ltd., as stated in their management accounts.
	(15) The congestion charge in central London raised funds which have not been set against expenditure.
	(16) Concessionary fare reimbursement is a subsidy to the passenger rather than the operator.
	(17) Concessionary fare schemes for children became available in some areas from 26 October 1986. Free travel for those under 16 in London from September 2005.
	(18) Bus Service Operators Grant replaced Fuel Duty Rebate. It is paid by DFT directly to bus operators.
	Source:
	Local authority returns to ODPM (Revenue Out-turn RO2).

Concessionary Travel

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether local authorities are required to spend the funding allocation for the concessionary travel scheme entirely on the provision of transport.

Stephen Ladyman: The funding for concessionary fares is unhypothecated; therefore the funding for concessionary fares is not separately identified. It is for local authorities to decide on their overall funding priorities based on their judgement of local need and circumstances.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the electoral registration rates were in the period (a) before and (b) after 13 March 2006 in each ward in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, grouped according to constituency and region and listed in descending order.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply
	Letter from Karen Dunnell dated 23 March 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the electoral registration rates were in the period (a) before and (b) after 13th March in each ward in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, grouped according to constituency and region and listed in descending order. (60916)
	Ward level population estimates are needed to compare the number of registered electors and the estimated population in each ward. The latest available population estimates at ward level for England and Wales are for 30 June 2002 and for Northern Ireland the latest available ward level population data are from the 2001 Census (29 April 2001).
	A comparison, using these data, has been provided previously. I refer you to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in the Official Report dated 20th December 2005, Column 2809W (Wales) and in the Official Report dated 19th January 2006, Column 1490 (England and Northern Ireland).
	No information is available for either electorate counts or ward level population estimates for any date following 13 March 2006.

Mobile Phones

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in London who had a mobile phone in each year since 2004–05; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell dated 23 March 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the number of people in London who had a mobile phone in each year since 2004–05. (60564)
	This data is not available. Up to and including 2005 we asked whether mobile phones were used by anyone in the household. So, if like most households, several people have mobiles, we'd only count it as one household with a mobile phone(s). Information relating to the use of Information and Communication Technologies by households and individuals are collected through the ICT access module of the ONS' Omnibus survey. The module is run three times within the first quarter of each year.
	From January we have reworded the question to target individuals, but the results are not yet available.

Revenue and Customs

Maria Miller: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made by HM Revenue and Customs of the likely impact of closure of its Basingstoke office on residents and local businesses in Basingstoke; and whether the Department has completed an equality impact assessment of the closure.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC carries out a detailed social, economic and service delivery impact assessment as part of the process at looking at individual locations which may be subject to reorganisation. This assessment includes the effect on staff and the provision of services for customers.

Tax Credits

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics the Government collect on the distribution of earned income excluding tax credits.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell dated 23 March 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning what statistics the Government collect on the distribution of earned income, excluding tax credits. (60616)
	The main source of earnings statistics is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). This is an employer-based annual survey which is used to produce income broken down by age, gender, and workplace characteristics.
	The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a quarterly survey of households which allows the production of income statistics broken down by personal characteristics such as ethnicity and disability.
	The Family Resources Survey is a household survey collected by the DWP recording information on gross and net pay, fringe benefits, and sources of income.
	In addition, the Monthly Wages and Salaries Survey is an employer-based survey used to calculate short term earnings indices (for example the Average Earnings Index) indicating changes in mean earnings. The statistics are available from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nscl.asp?ID=8242.
	Other surveys do contain earnings questions, but these are not the main focus of the survey and are not generally used in the production of National Statistics.
	HMRC publishes statistics on earned income distributions, for income taxpayers only, which is available on their website; http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#36.
	The HMRC earned income information is based upon the Survey of Personal Incomes.

Houses of Parliament

David Taylor: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, what recent assessment she has made of the gender balance in the membership of the Houses of Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The numbers of women's MPs continues to increase—nearly 20 per cent. of MPs are now women compared with 9 per cent. before 1997. There are now 134 female peers in the House of Lords (18.5 per cent.). The UK is ranked 14th within the EU and internationally, 50th in the Inter-Parliamentary Union table of women's political representation. In the Devolved Administrations we are doing particularly well—50 per cent. of the Welsh MPs are women and 40 per cent. of Scottish MPs are women. Positive measures such as those included in the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act are necessary as there are more than 500 male MPs in the House of Commons now, but in the course of the history of the House, there have only ever been 291 women MPs.

Domestic Violence

James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, what steps the Government are taking to address violence in the home; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Building on the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, our updated national delivery plan, due to be launched on 28 March, is a comprehensive response to domestic violence. It aims to: reduce the prevalence of domestic violence, ensure victims are adequately protected and increase the rate of reporting and successful prosecutions. The Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence, on which I sit, will oversee implementation.

Domestic Violence

Lynda Waltho: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will discuss with the Home Secretary the possibility of the courts being provided with the power to include restraining orders in the sentencing of perpetrators of domestic violence.

Meg Munn: I sit on the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence which is chaired by my hon. friend Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC: the Home Office Minister of State for the Criminal Justice System and the lead Minister for domestic violence. This group provides the mechanism for performance managing the national delivery plan for domestic violence which includes the implementation of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004.
	The Act has been rolling out in stages since March 2005. Providing courts with the power to include restraining orders in the sentencing of perpetrators is not yet implemented. The timing of the implementation of this measure is currently being negotiated between the Home Office and the Department of Constitutional Affairs.

Careers Advice

Lynda Waltho: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what assessment she has made of the merits of providing girls with advice on the way in which their career choices may impact their future pay and progression.

Meg Munn: Government recognise that the career choices made by girls at school could affect their earnings potential. The women and work commission report that two-thirds of young women would have considered a wider range of career options had they known of the different pay rates.
	The 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper sets out an agenda that offers all young people wider choice of what and where to learn, and sets out clear objectives for information, advice and guidance that includes young people understanding the options open to them and their potential implications.
	One of the areas the women and work commission looked at was the careers information and guidance available to girls at school. The Government are determined to take action to address all causes of the pay gap highlighted in the women and work commission report and will issue an action plan within six months.

Flexible Working

Lynda Waltho: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what measures the Government are taking to encourage businesses to provide more high-quality, high-paid flexible and part-time work at all levels, with particular reference to senior staff.

Meg Munn: The Government introduced, through the Employment Act 2002, a statutory duty on employers to consider seriously requests for flexible working from parents with children under six or disabled children under 18. The Government also published the Work and Families Bill in October 2005, which extends the right to request flexible working to carers of adults.
	The Government encourage all types of flexible working across the work force by providing detailed guidance that promotes the benefits and shares best practice. The Business Link service is a crucial part of the Government's campaign to promote enterprise and to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business. Business Link provides practical support and advice for employers and its website provides information about the benefits of, and different types of flexible working, including job-sharing and part-time working.
	The Acas online advice leaflet 'Flexible working' and their guide 'Changing patterns of work' aims to help employers and employees agree flexible working arrangements that provide benefits to both individuals and their organisations.
	The women and work commission have looked at and made recommendations on the availability of quality part-time work including that at senior levels. The Government are determined to take action to address all causes of the pay gap highlighted in the women and work commission report and will issue an action plan within six months.

Minimum Wage

Lynda Waltho: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what assessment she has made of the effect of the national minimum wage on women.

Meg Munn: The national minimum wage has benefited around one million people each year since it's introduction in 1999, and around two-thirds of those benefiting are low-paid women. The national minimum wage plays a part in narrowing the gender pay gap, as women are more likely to work in lower paid and often part-time jobs than men. The DTI estimates that two-thirds of the 1.3 million low-paid workers set to benefit from the October 2006 uprating will be women.

National Minimum Wage

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the national minimum wage since its introduction; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaydon (Mr. Anderson).

Equal Treatment Directive

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made towards implementing EU directive 2004/113/EC on equal treatment in goods and services; and when he plans to bring forward enabling legislation.

Meg Munn: holding answer 17 March 2006
	The Sex Discrimination Act currently meets many of the requirements of the EC gender directive on equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services (2004/113/EC). Work to implement the remaining requirements of the directive is being carried out as part of the Discrimination Law Review (DLR). The decision on which legislative vehicle should be used to transpose the directive has not yet been taken. This decision will determine the timing of its implementation.

Industrial Support

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding his Department has provided to support the (a) aerospace, (b) agricultural, (c) automotive, (d) biotechnology, (e) chemical, (f) construction, (g) research and development and (h) tourism industry in (i) the North East and (ii) the Tees Valley in each of the last five years.

Alun Michael: It should be noted that the agricultural and tourism industries are likely to receive funding from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) respectively and figures are not available in the precise format specified in the question. Government funding for ONE North East, the Regional Development Agency for the North East of England, for the last five years amounts to:
	
		
			 Financial year Funding (£ million) 
		
		
			 2001–02 158.2 
			 2002–03 195.9 
			 2003–04 222.6 
			 2004–05 225.6 
			 2005–06 243.9 
		
	
	Source:
	ONE North East
	ONE North East estimate that around 25 per cent. of its resources, or £262 million over the last 5 years, have been provided to support projects and initiatives in the Tees Valley sub-region, including resources devolved to the Tees Valley Partnership.
	In addition, since April 2002 ONE North East has administered the Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) and Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) schemes on behalf of DTI. Total spend on this scheme in the North East and Tees Valley sub-region is outlined in the following table:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Financial year Total spend Tees Valley spend 
		
		
			 2002–03 11.900 0.945 
			 2003–04 18.133 3.110 
			 2004–05 19.532 5.120 
			 2005–06 14.644 3.245 
		
	
	Source:
	ONE North East
	ONE North East also administers the DTI Grant for Research and Development (previously Smart) scheme to encourage SMEs to undertake science and technology research and development activities. Spend on this scheme is outlined in the following table:
	
		
			   £ 
			 Financial year Total spend Tees Valley spend 
		
		
			 2001–02 455,880 52,238 
			 2002–03 1,220,426 66,163 
			 2003–04 1,467,588 16,750 
			 2004–05 1,537,501 128,896 
			 2005–06 1,229,675 123,923 
		
	
	Source:
	ONE North East
	The Department also provides funding through a wide number of schemes, initiatives and collaborative programmes of direct and indirect benefit to the North East and the Tees Valley, including the business sectors identified in the question. These include:
	LINK and Technology Programme;
	Knowledge Transfer Partnerships;
	£630,000 allocated to the Biosystems Informatics Institute, Newcastle through the Harnessing Genomics" programme in 2004;
	A share of £5 million over a five year period (2002–07) to Newcastle's Life Knowledge Park (one of five Genetics Knowledge Parks, GKPs);
	Committed funding of £7.2 million to ONE North East under its University Innovation Centre (UIC) programme in 2002 to fund the North East UIC in Nanotechnology—a consortium of the five regional universities (including Teesside) plus industrial partners;
	Direct funding of £158,000 to a North East biotechnology company in 2003 by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
	£115,000 to commercial suppliers in the North East through the awarding of contracts by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) since 2001;
	Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF, jointly funded by DTI and DfES through HEFCE) has allocated £9.2 million (SRIF1, 2002–04) and 20.1m (SRIF2, 2004–06) towards capital and infrastructure projects in the North East's universities;
	Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF, jointly funded by DTI and DfES through HEFCE) has allocated £13 million through HEIF1 (2002–04) and HEIF2 (2004–06) to the North East's universities for projects benefiting business and the community;
	the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), the centre of excellence located at the Wilton Centre near Redcar.

Resource Extraction Projects

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the mineral and natural resource extraction projects in developing countries.

Gareth Thomas: DFID 's primary involvement with mineral and natural resource extraction projects in developing countries is an indirect one, as a 'shareholder' in multilateral financial institutions, such as the World Bank group and the Regional Development Banks, which invest in projects in this sector. However, DFID monitors developments in the minerals and natural resources sector as part of a commitment to sustainable development and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
	DFID's main focus is on the general principles adopted in the environmental and social policies and procedures of the multilateral banks because these provide the framework within which the environmental and social impacts of specific projects are managed 'on the ground'. For example, DFID has been actively engaged in the Extractive Industries Review, which assessed the compatibility of World Bank's investments in the extractive sector with their missions of poverty reduction and sustainable development.
	More recently, DFID has also contributed to the International Finance Corporation's review of its environmental and social safeguards policies and procedures. These safeguards are a key tool to ensure the prudent management of the exploitation of natural resources in developing countries.
	DFID also provides support to the newly established Inter-Governmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development. The primary role of this Forum is to assist developing countries to manage their mineral wealth as a key component in their development strategies.

Sustainable Development

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to promote sustainable development in the developing world towards the reduction of global greenhouse gases; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID takes the issue of climate change very seriously. We are working with others, in particular the World Bank and other multilateral development banks, to increase investment in low carbon energy, particularly in developing countries. This is in line with the Gleneagles Plan of Action for Climate Change, Clean Energy and ,Sustainable Development, which the G8 signed up to in July 2005. This included commitments to encourage increased investment in cleaner and more efficient energy technologies.
	Specifically, the World Bank and Regional Development Banks are developing the Energy Investment Framework to address obstacles to investment in low carbon development and encourage both public and private sectors to invest more in clean energy in developing countries. The Framework will also look to improve the effectiveness of existing strategies in developing world countries, for example, by integrating climate change into transport sector strategies.
	In addition to this, the Government have been supporting EU efforts to promote low carbon energy in developing countries. At the EU-India Summit in September 2005, both parties agreed to launch an EU-India Initiative on Clean Development and Climate Change. One aim of the Initiative will be to increase funding and promote public-private partnerships for research and development of cleaner technologies. It will also look to reduce the price gap between cleaner" and less efficient" technologies.
	Similarly, an EU-China Partnership was signed in September 2005. As a focal part of this, the UK is supporting a new initiative on near-Zero Emissions Coal with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to address the challenge of tackling increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the use of coal in China. The aim is to bring forward the time when new Chinese coal plants are built with CCS. Near-Zero Emissions Coal and large-scale deployment of CCS in China could halve their projected emissions by 2030. This will be a significant achievement as on current levels China is set to overtake the United States as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the next 20 years.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much the Valuation Office Agency spent on (a) video cameras, (b) camcorders and (c) related electronic equipment in the last five years for which figures are available; and how many such cameras were purchased in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	Details of expenditure by the Valuation Office Agency on (a) , (b) and (c) , in the last five years, are shown in the following table. One camcorder and related electronic equipment, including an editing workstation and video recorder/player, was purchased to support effective internal communications via the Agency's intranet—it is neither available to, nor used by, staff for any other purpose.
	
		
			£ 
			  (a) Video cameras (b) Camcorders (c) Related electronic equipment 
		
		
			 2001–02 0 0 0 
			 2002–03 0 0 0 
			 2003–04 0 0 0 
			 2004–05 0 (33)1653.00 5030.00 
			 2005–06 0 0 0 
		
	
	(33) Quantity = one.

QinetiQ

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of defence research contracts by (a) number and (b) value his Department has awarded to (i) QinetiQ and the (ii) Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in each year since 2000; and what proportion of those contracts were passed on to third parties.

John Reid: In financial year 2001–02 the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was split into two organisations: the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) staying as a Trading Fund within the Ministry of Defence, and QinetiQ becoming a private company. The value of research work placed within MOD (intramural) and outside of MOD (extramural) is published in the annual National Statistics publication UK Defence Statistics" (Chapter 1.7 in the 2005 edition). A copy of this is held in the Library of the House.
	It is not meaningful to talk in terms of number of contracts, as the MOD has a single formal enabling contract with QinetiQ and specific tasks are normally awarded against that contract.
	The proportion of research work placed to different suppliers is outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy" (section A5.23), a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.
	Data on the proportion of contracts passed by QinetiQ to a third party is not held centrally and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

Omagh Bombing

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has commissioned a report on the 1998 Omagh bombing; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: When the Prime Minister met the families of the Omagh Bombing victims in November last year, he assured them that the investigation into the atrocity was very much ongoing. This is still the case and the Government remain committed to ensuring that the truth is established.
	Our priority is that those responsible should be brought to justice, and we must ensure that energy is applied to pursuing these criminal investigations.
	You will be aware that Sean Gerard Hoey was charged with the 29 murders on 4 May 2005. The case is expected to come to trial in September 2006.
	While the Government do not rule in or out the possibility of a public inquiry, we should wait and see what the trials produce first.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, and Pakistan

Peter Law: To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed (a) the prospects of Pakistan joining the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and (b) Iran's compliance with the NPT during his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart on 6 March.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Tony Blair: I discussed a wide range of issues with the Prime Minister Aziz during his recent visit, including Kashmir and Afghanistan. I also refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the press conference I held with Prime Minister Aziz on 6 March, a transcript of which is available on the No. 10 website.
	I had no discussions on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Dr. Howells) also met Prime Minister Aziz during his visit where they discussed a wide range of issues, including Iranian compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its obligations arising from the Treaty.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effect of education maintenance allowance on staying on rates (a) in England and (b) in Hendon; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: EMA was subject to one of the most comprehensive evaluations of any educational initiative. It was piloted in 10 areas (plus five others in London/Leeds) and the evaluation followed two cohorts of 16-year-olds for four years from 1999/2000 and 2000/01. Their outcomes were compared to those of matched individuals in 11 control areas. It was extended to a further 41 areas in 2000/01 so that it was operating in around one third of the country.
	The results indicated that EMA increased participation of eligible young people in the pilot areas by 5.9 percentage points. This is equivalent to an increase in participation of all 16-year-olds across the whole country of 3.8 percentage points. There was a particularly strong impact for key target groups:
	young males (1.2 times impact),
	none/low/middle achievers (1.3 to 1.7 times impact)
	lower SEG groups (1.3 to 1.6 times impact)
	The results also showed positive impacts on retention from Y13 to Y14, and also on an individual's attachment to education, as measured by number of terms which they stay in education to age 19.
	EMA was extended to 16-year-olds in the remaining two thirds of the country in September 2004. There was a 1.9 percentage point increase in participation of 16-year-olds in full-time education between 2003/04 and 2004/05. This is in line with the increase in participation which was expected from the roll out of EMA and is the largest increase in participation for over 10 years. While it is not possible to say that all of the increase was due to EMA, this was one of the most important initiatives aimed at increasing participation. The Department and LSC will be doing further analyses of local participation when these become available to try to get a better estimate of the change which might be due to EMA. EMA was extended to 17-year-olds in September 2005 and will be fully extended to 18-year-olds from September 2006.
	This year the LSC has adopted the strategy of measuring EMA take-up to show early impact of the scheme locally. Volumes are on target, and take-up among poorer students is higher than originally projected, which is the group upon whom EMA is likely to have the greatest beneficial effect. Take-up among 16-year-olds largely met or exceeded estimated figures in 2004/05. Where take-up is lower than anticipated, the local LSC targets additional support to raise awareness of EMA and increase the figures.
	On the take up of EMAs in Hendon, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13 March 2006, Official Report, column1866W.

Thames Gateway Strategy

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress the Government have made towards meeting the commitment given in Creating Sustainable Communities: Delivering the Thames Gateway (a) to raise the number of people qualified up to NVQ Level 3 and (b) to increase the number of work-based training opportunities.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	"Creating sustainable communities: Delivering the Thames Gateway", published in March 2005, set out progress to date and outlined the Government's plans for the future development of the Thames Gateway.
	Later this year, we will publish a Strategic Framework for the Gateway, which will cover latest progress and form the basis of a delivery plan for the future.
	As an early indicator of progress, however, recently published data from the Learning Skills Council shows Level 3 attainment by young people in the Thames Gateway. The data shows that the number of 19-year-olds achieving a Level 3 qualification increased from 13,608 in 2004 to 15,143 in 2005. This equates to a 3 per cent. increase, and contributes to the overall raising of qualification levels of the Thames Gateway population.
	On the point of work-based training opportunities, according to the Learning and Skills Council's Thames Gateway Directorate, the substantial increase in learner achievements of apprenticeships and the associated costs has meant that the number of starts on apprenticeships in the Thames Gateway have decreased from 2004/05 to 2005/06. This concurs with the national picture. The increase in achievements is very good news as we committed ourselves to improving the quality of work-based learning in Creating Sustainable Communities: Delivering the Thames Gateway. The success rates on apprenticeships in the Thames Gateway have risen from 43 per cent. in 2003/04 to 47.4 per cent. in 2004/05.
	As referenced in Creating Sustainable Communities: Delivering the Thames Gateway, for example, the ODPM has also contributed £4 million to the expansion of Prospects College in Southend, also part-funded by the LSC. Prospects College delivers work-based learning in engineering and construction. The expansion will increase the capacity of the college and the number of learner places.
	Further work-based learning places have also been created through the 14–19 sector pilots running in parts of the Thames Gateway. Through this programme, support has also been given in order to build capacity for increased delivery of work-based learning. The pilots establish stepping-stone vocational pathways all the way from Key Stage 4 to higher education in the key local sectors.
	The Government have also been supporting employers and employees in the Thames Gateway with work-related training through Profit from Learning, the local Treasury-funded Employer Training Pilot. To date, 50,280 employees in 6,730 companies have benefited from the programme across the three LSC areas covering the Thames Gateway.

Truants

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the Home Department on the deployment of police community support officers to apprehend truants.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 March
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, has discussed with my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, the proposal in the Police and Justice Bill to enable chief officers, where appropriate, to allow community support officers to remove truants from public places. Section 16 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 allows local authorities to designate areas from which truants may be removed.
	Currently the power to remove truants can only be exercised by police officers. We believe that the proposal to extend this to community support officers will make it easier for local authorities and the police to mount truancy sweeps. It is also an important item in this Government's respect action.

Elder Abuse

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what systems are in place in her Department to record the number of cases of elder abuse which are dealt with by the courts.

Harriet Harman: Information about the number of cases of elder abuse which are dealt with by the courts, is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HM Court Service

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement of the future of the Chorley magistrates court house.

Harriet Harman: Chorley courthouse has three courtrooms and these are in use on most weekdays. If the business of the court increases, it is likely that the courtrooms will be in constant use each Monday to Friday. At the present time, this courthouse not only deals with criminal offences committed in the Chorley local justice area but also assists a neighbouring local justice area by dealing with all the cases, where defendants have been kept in custody, from the Leyland district.

Middlesex Guildhall

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much has been spent to date on the project to site the Supreme Court at Middlesex Guildhall.

Harriet Harman: The amount spent to date on establishing the Supreme Court is set out as follows. These costs are made up of both capital and resource expenditure and reflect the work to date in respect of developing the designs for both construction projects: The refurbishment of Middlesex Guildhall, to adapt it for use as the Supreme Court, and the creation of additional Crown court courtrooms.
	
		
			£ 
			  Capital Resource Amount 
		
		
			 April 2003 to March 2004 — 228,602 228,602 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 — 699,235 699,235 
			 April 2005 to January 2006 3,035,495 405,520 3,441,015 
			 Total 3,035,495 1,333,357 4,368,352

Barts/Broomfield Hospitals (PFI)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  for what reasons (a) the St. Bartholomews' private finance initiative (PFI) scheme has been approved and (b) the Broomfield Hospital PFI scheme has not yet received approval; and what the effect was of the recent ruling by the Treasury on each scheme;
	(2)  when she expects a decision to be taken on approval of the Broomfield Hospital private finance initiative scheme;
	(3)  what the estimated total extra costs incurred per month are of the delay in approving the Broomfield Hospital private finance initiative scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: We announced on 26 January 2006 that all trusts would need to confirm their capital investment plans through a reappraisal process, including where applicable private finance initiative (PFI) schemes. The aim of this process is to ensure that all schemes properly take account of the current reforms to the national health service such as choice, a movement of services into primary and community settings, the new financial regime as well long-term affordability, assumptions on efficiency gains and income growth.
	The PFI scheme at Barts and the London NHS Trust was very close to financial close when this announcement was made, and indeed had already been the subject of close scrutiny in the weeks before the announcement. As a result of further discussions between the Department and the trust and their private sector partners the original plans were revised and have formed an addendum to the full business case (FBC).
	Departmental officials will shortly be writing to all trusts with PFI schemes letting them know how the reappraisal process will work. Schemes such as the one at the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust, which are closer to financial close, will be focused on first. The trust may incur some additional costs in carrying out this work, but this will be more than offset by the savings which will be realised by the reappraisal exercise.

Dentistry

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on NHS general dental services in Lancashire in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The main element of national health service dental services are the primary dental care services provided by dentists working within the general dental service (GDS), or personal dental service (PDS) pilots. The following tables display the readily available data on expenditure on these services for primary care trusts in the Lancashire area and for the Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority (SHA). The difference between gross and net expenditure is the contribution to costs from dental charges collected directly from patients. Note that data on PDS expenditure are only available for the financial year 2004–05.
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments (48)(49)(50)(51)
		
			 £ million, cash terms(52) 
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen  
			 Gross GDS payments 4.372 4.637 4.981 5.289 4.915 
			 Net GDS payments 3.128 3.374 3.644 4.068 3.966 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 4.372 4.637 4.981 5.289 5.372 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 3.128 3.374 3.644 4.068 4.378 
			   
			 Blackpool  
			 Gross GDS payments 5.539 5.676 5.651 5.745 4.340 
			 Net GDS payments 4.026 4.091 4.030 4.115 3.089 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 5.539 5.676 5.651 5.745 5.726 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 4.026 4.091 4.030 4.115 4.297 
			   
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale  
			 Gross GDS payments 6.837 6.244 6.104 6.594 4.784 
			 Net GDS payments 4.827 4.463 4.311 4.547 3.496 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 6.837 6.244 6.104 6.594 7.031 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 4.827 4.463 4.311 4.547 5.434 
			   
			 Chorley and South Ribble  
			 Gross GDS payments 5.142 5.616 5.795 5.929 5.957 
			 Net GDS payments 3.419 3.695 3.798 3.936 4.034 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 5.142 5.616 5.795 5.929 6.748 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 3.419 3.695 3.798 3.936 4.728 
			   
			 Fylde  
			 Gross GDS payments 2.409 2.495 2.628 2.679 2.652 
			 Net GDS payments 1.492 1.547 1.631 1.642 1.703 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 2.409 2.495 2.628 2.679 3.360 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 1.492 1.547 1.631 1.642 2.305 
			   
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley  
			 Gross GDS payments 2.983 3.085 3.212 3.252 2.244 
			 Net GDS payments 2.076 2.144 2.231 2.290 1.691 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 2.983 3.085 3.212 3.252 3.228 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 2.076 2.144 2.231 2.290 2.544 
			   
			 Morecambe Bay  
			 Gross GDS payments 8.983 9.642 9.767 9.799 9.260 
			 Net GDS payments 5.667 6.081 6.180 6.331 6.140 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 8.983 9.642 9.767 9.799 10.824 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 5.667 6.081 6.180 6.331 7.519 
			   
			 Preston  
			 Gross GDS payments 4.725 4.655 4.623 5.034 5.061 
			 Net GDS payments 3.494 3.432 3.371 3.648 3.762 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 4.725 4.655 4.623 5.034 5.275 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 3.494 3.432 3.371 3.648 3.955 
			 West Lancashire  
			 Gross GDS payments 3.691 3.922 4.127 4.583 3.844 
			 Net GDS payments 2.654 2.820 3.003 3.381 3.044 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 3.691 3.922 4.127 4.583 5.580 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 2.654 2.820 3.003 3.381 4.511 
			   
			 Wyre  
			 Gross GDS payments 3.620 3.784 3.970 3.783 2.813 
			 Net GDS payments 2.319 2.412 2.519 2.416 1.810 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 3.620 3.784 3.970 3.783 4.511 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 2.319 2.412 2.519 2.416 3.250 
		
	
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments (48)(49)(50)(51)
		
			 £ million, real terms(52) 
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen  
			 Gross GDS payments 4.846 5.015 5222 5.402 4.919 
			 Net GDS payments 3.467 3.650 3.820 4.155 3.966 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 4.846 5.015 5.222 5.402 5.372 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 3.467 3.650 3.820 4.155 4.378 
			   
			 Blackpool  
			 Gross GDS payments 6.139 6.140 5.924 5.867 4.340 
			 Net GDS payments 4.462 4.425 4.225 4.203 3.089 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 6.139 6.140 5.924 5.867 5.726 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 4.462 4.425 4.225 4.203 4.297 
			   
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale  
			 Gross GDS payments 7.578 6.753 6.399 6.735 4.784 
			 Net GDS payments 5.350 4.827 4.520 4.644 3.496 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 7.578 6.753 6.399 6.735 7.031 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 5.350 4.827 4.520 4.644 5.434 
			   
			 Chorley and South Ribble  
			 Gross GDS payments 5.699 6.074 6.076 6.055 5.957 
			 Net GDS payments 3.789 3.996 3.982 4.020 4.034 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 5.699 6.074 6.076 6.055 6.748 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 3.789 3.996 3.982 4.020 4.728 
			   
			 Fylde  
			 Gross GDS payments 2.670 2.699 2.755 2.736 2.652 
			 Net GDS payments 1.654 1.673 1.710 1.677 1.703 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 2.670 2.699 2.755 2.736 3.360 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 1.654 1.673 1.710 1.677 2.305 
			   
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley  
			 Gross GDS payments 3.306 3.336 3.367 3.322 2.244 
			 Net GDS payments 2.301 2.319 2.339 2.339 1.691 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 3.306 3.336 3.367 3.322 3.228 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 2.301 2.319 2.339 2.339 2.544 
			   
			 Morecambe Bay  
			 Gross GDS payments 9.956 10.429 10.239 10.008 9.2650 
			 Net GDS payments 6.281 6.578 6.479 6.466 6.140 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 9.956 10.429 10.239 10.008 10.824 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 6.281 6.578 6.479 6.466 7.519 
			   
			 Preston  
			 Gross GDS payments 5.237 5.035 4.846 5.141 5.061 
			 Net GDS payments 3.872 3.712 3.533 3.726 3.762 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 5.237 5.035 4.846 5.141 5.275 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 3.872 3.712 3.533 3.726 3.955 
			   
			 West Lancashire  
			 Gross GDS payments 4.090 4.242 4.326 4.681 3.844 
			 Net GDS payments 2.941 3.050 3.148 3.454 3.044 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 4.090 4.242 4.326 4.681 5.580 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 2.941 3.050 3.148 3.454 4.511 
			   
			 Wyre  
			 Gross GDS payments 4.012 4.093 4.162 3.864 2.813 
			 Net GDS payments 2.570 2.609 2.641 2.467 1.810 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 4.012 4.093 4.162 3.864 4.511 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 2.570 2.609 2.641 2.467 3.250 
		
	
	
		Cumbria and Lancashire SHA data, Core GDS and PDS dental payments(48)(49)(50)(51)
		
			 £ million, cash terms(52) 
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Gross GDS payments 56.836 58.738 59.800 61.915 54.585 
			 Net GDS payments 38.707 40.006 40.610 42.484 38.556 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 56.836 58.738 59.800 61.915 66.567 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 38.707 40.006 40.610 42.484 48.939 
		
	
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments(48)(49)(50)(51)
		
			 £ million, real terms(52) 
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Gross GDS payments 62.995 63.533 62.690 63.236 54.585 
			 Net GDS payments 42.901 43.271 42.573 43.390 38.556 
			 Gross GDS and PDS payments 62.995 63.533 62.690 63.236 66.597 
			 Net GDS and PDS payments 42.901 43.271 42.573 43.390 48.939 
		
	
	(48) Gross GDS payments include adult fees (including item of service and continuing care payments), child fees (including item of service and capitation payments), commitment payments and point of treatment check payment training (in 2001 only), seniority payments, maternity/paternity/adoptive leave payments, long-term sick leave payments, continuing professional development allowances including travel hours, reimbursement of business rates, vocational training grants and clinical audit payments. The following costs are excluded from this data: employer's superannuation costs, vocational trainee salaries and national insurance contribution costs, clinical audit convenors, clinical audit secretarial support costs and travel expenses, and costs associated with any salaried general dental practitioners and emergency dental services.
	(49) PDS payment data are included for 2004–05 only and relates to baseline payments or the agreed regular monthly payments made to PDS practices. Reliable PDS data at practice level are not available prior to 2004–05. The data cannot identify the cost of any PDS services that are directly managed by local NHS trusts, such as certain dental access centres.
	(50) Payments are assigned to areas on the basis of practice postcode data.
	(51) Net payments represent the balance of payments due after taking account of NHS dental charge income collected from patients by dental practices.
	5 Figures have been converted into 2004–05 prices using the December 2005 GDP deflator index.
	Source:
	Primary Care Statistics.

Temozolomide

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will instruct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence urgently to re-examine the efficacy of the brain tumour drug temozolomide.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising temozolomide for the treatment high grade gliomas. NICE expects to publish final guidance to the national health service in August 2006. Further information is available from NICE'S website at www.nice.org.uk.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood dated 9 November 2005 regarding (acknowledgement B26843/5) on behalf of Rajinder Kumar, K501739.

Tony McNulty: The Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 16 March.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood dated 9 November 2005 (acknowledgement B26882/5) on behalf of Mrs. Zohra Kousar Pak, HO ref. K12009973.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 20 March 2006.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood dated 21 December 2005 (acknowledgement B30471/5) on behalf of Mohammed Ubaidul Hassan Ludhi, HO ref. LR15170033181/1.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 17 March 2006.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood dated 25 October 2005 (acknowledgement B25206/5) regarding HO Ref G1071997, Mr Sabir Ghazi.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 20 March 2006.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood dated 28 November 2005 (acknowledgement B28213/5) on behalf of Mauvalyn Howell, HO Ref A2329027.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 17 March 2006.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the enquiry from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, dated 4 October 2005 (acknowledgement reference B23510/5) on behalf of Dionne Peast, Home Office reference P363945.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 20 March 2006.

Police

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the Independent Police Complaints Commission sends a substantive reply to a member of the public lodging an appeal within 28 days of that appeal being lodged.

Hazel Blears: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is responsible for the management of the police complaints system. I will ensure that the Chairman receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly.
	Copies of the letter containing the IPCC's response will be placed in the
	House Libraries.

Police

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the time scales are within which the Independent Police Complaints Commission is expected to handle (a) complaints and (b) appeals by members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is responsible for the management of the police complaints system. I will ensure that the chairman receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly. Copies of the letter containing the IPCC's response will be placed in the House Libraries.

Police

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is a backlog of appeal cases waiting for determination by the Independent Police Complaints Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is responsible for the management of the police complaints system. I will ensure that the chairman receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly. Copies of the letter containing the IPCC's response will be placed in the House Libraries.

Prisoners

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 15 March, to question 58643, on prisoners, what estimate he has made of the cost is of providing the information requested.

Fiona Mactaggart: The cost exceeds the limit set out in Cabinet Office guidance for answering parliamentary questions.

Video Games

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were of retailers selling video games with an 18 classification to children under the age of 18-years in (a) England and Wales and (b) Newport East in the last year for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: There is no specific offence of selling video games with an '18' classification to children under the age of 18-years. There is, however, an offence of supplying video recordings of classified work in breach of classification under the Video recordings act 1984, which partly covers video games as well as videos.
	In England and Wales in 2004 there were 11 prosecutions for this offence, of which four were against companies. One of these prosecutions against a company took place in South East Gwent petty sessional area, which covers Newport East.